The "Join Hands with Ally and Friends" community-wide fund-raiser begins noon Saturday at Wescott Athletic Field, Austin.

Ally Hicks and another Ellis Middle School seventh grader are bravely battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer. The parents of the other child have requested anonymity.

Participants will walk or run around the new running track at the Austin Pubic Schools athletic field.

Donations may be left at the Wescott Athletic Field or US Bank Austin

Pledges are not encouraged at this time, but donations may be left at the site or the bank, whether the donor joins Saturday's walkers/runners or not.

The event is being sponsored by

the local AAL/Lutheran Brotherhood branch. Pledges have been obtained from students in local elementary, middle and high schools.

Matching funds from the AAL/Lutheran Brotherhood organization.

The initial fund drive for the event saw over $1,500 in donations received.

Organizers say 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the two cancer victims.

Among the participants will be those from local churches as the effort becomes an intergenerational event.

Also Saturday, bone marrow screening will take place for anyone willing to make the life-long commitment.

Anyone who is 18 or older

can be screened and the information is retained until the person reaches the age of 61.

The screening requires only a draw of blood. The process takes 30 minutes and registration is necessary.

The local event is connected to the national Join Hands Day

activities planned June 15 Established just two years ago, the Join Hands Day activities were the work of the Points of Light Foundation, which encourages community service by teams of youths and adults.

For more information about participating in Saturday's Join Hans with Ally Hicks and Friends," call Mark Roberts at

434-7604.